FC Porto's former Champions League-winning captain Jorge Costa has passed away following a cardiac arrest at the age of 53 on Tuesday. Costa played for 15 years at Porto and made 383 appearances for the club across all competitions. He was an integral part and the leader of the side that lifted the club's second European Cup in the 2003-04 season under Jose Mourinho.
Newcastle United are set to miss out on yet another striker target as Spain international Samu Aghehowa appears intent on staying at Porto. The 21-year-old, who scored 27 goals last season, is focused on helping the Dragons win the title and improving his numbers, with local media insisting he’s not tempted by 'greed' or a Premier League switch.
Arsenal have reportedly entered fresh talks with FC Porto over the future of Jakub Kiwior, with the Portuguese giants pushing to secure the Poland international before the transfer deadline. The 25-year-old defender has slipped down Mikel Arteta’s pecking order following Cristhian Mosquera’s arrival and is now considering a move for more regular game time.
Arsenal had to cancel a private jet that was lined up for Jakub Kiwior to travel to Porto to finalise his £22.5 million move to the Portuguese club. The Gunners are yet to agree on a deal with Bayer Leverkusen over the transfer of Piero Hincapie, despite the player agreeing personal terms. The Premier League giants won't be able to sanction Kiwior's transfer unless Hincapie's move is sealed.
Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas was full of acknowledgement while speaking about some star players, seemingly taking a swipe at Viktor Gyokeres.
Benfica presidential candidate Joao Noronha Lopes has revealed his ambitious plan to bring Bernardo Silva back to his boyhood club from Manchester City. Speaking ahead of elections later this year, Lopes claimed that a contract is already 'waiting' for the Portuguese star, who is under contract at the Etihad until 2026. He hopes to convince City to part ways with the midfielder as early as January.
Ruben Amorim could be handed a way out of his troubled Manchester United reign after Benfica presidential candidate Joao Noronha Lopes was spotted at the Etihad during Sunday’s derby defeat. The leading contender has openly spoken about bringing Amorim back to Lisbon if elected, raising fresh questions about the Portuguese coach’s long-term future at Old Trafford.
A Benfica presidential candidate has addressed speculation he wants to bring Ruben Amorim to the Portuguese giants after watching Manchester United's 3-0 loss to Manchester City. Joao Noronha Lopes and his team were at the Etihad for the Manchester derby and now he has made his thoughts on the Red Devils head coach perfectly clear.
Jose Mourinho has been told to "accept" that "his career is over" as the former Chelsea & Manchester United boss nears a surprise return to Benfica. The 62-year-old tactician, coming off an ill-fated stint at Fenerbahce, is reportedly in advanced talks to take charge at the Portuguese giants once again. However, some fans aren't buying the comeback story.
Benfica announced their decision to part ways with Bruno Lage with immediate effect after their shock defeat to Azerbaijani side Qarabag in the Champions League opener on Tuesday. On Wednesday morning, Lage, while speaking to reporters, wished Jose Mourinho "best of luck". Mourinho has been linked with the Benfica role and it is understood that he is keen on taking over at the Estadio da Luz.
Jose Mourinho has provided his response to sacked Benfica ex-head coach Bruno Lage, after he wished the 'Special One' "best of luck" following his dismissal. Mourinho has been linked with the Benfica role after he was relieved of his duties at Super Lig side Fenerbahce, with the former Man Utd and Real Madrid boss eyeing an immediate return to the dugout.
Jose Mourinho is heading home, with the Portuguese tactician returning to his roots at Benfica on a two-year contract. The self-anointed ‘Special One’ has been out of work since seeing his spell at Turkish giants Fenerbahce brought to an abrupt halt. It has not taken long for a new position to be found, with the enigmatic 62-year-old linking up with a club that he knows well.
The Special One is back on familiar ground! Jose Mourinho, who is set to take charge of Benfica on a two-year deal, will find himself on English soil twice within the next month as the Champions League league phase unfolds. With trips to both Stamford Bridge and St James’ Park on the horizon, Mourinho is set for an early reunion with his former hunting ground..
Sporting CP are not feeling the absence of Viktor Gyokeres after the Swedish international signed for Arsenal over the summer. The Portuguese giants have signed Luis Suarez to succeed Gyokeres, with the Colombian striker earning high praise from team-mate Pedro Goncalves. In six games for the club since his arrival, Suarez has been directly involved in as many goals.
Jose Mourinho admits it was a "mistake" joining Fenerbahce and that the Turkish team wasn't on his "level". The 62-year-old has come full circle after being sworn in as Benfica's new manager following Bruno Lage's sacking. The Portuguese believes he is a coach who should be managing the biggest teams in the world and Benfica give him that platform.
Jose Mourinho has already been warned of the sack threat he faces at Benfica, with the Portuguese a matter of hours into the two-year contract that he has signed at Estadio da Luz. The enigmatic former Porto, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Inter boss is aware that he needs to deliver positive results in order to see out a deal through to the summer of 2027.
Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr. is having a major impact at newly-promoted Portuguese side Alverca, where he is a minority shareholder. Sporting director Pedro Alves has hailed the Brazilian's influence, which has brought global visibility to the club, including a surprise appearance at a recent league match against Benfica.
Rafa Benitez lifted the lid on his relationship with Jose Mourinho and made his feelings known on the Special One joining Benfica. The pair first locked horns in England back in 2004, when Benitez arrived at Liverpool just two weeks after Mourinho swaggered into Chelsea. What followed was a feud laced with mind games, press-room barbs, and an incredible 15 clashes in just three seasons.
Benfica might expect a reunion between newly appointed manager Jose Mourinho and one of his former players at Real Madrid, Karim Benzema. While the former French international is currently playing for Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League, his contract expires next year, and the club are ready to let him go if the Portuguese side pay a small transfer fee.
Porto president and Jose Mourinho's former assistant Andre Villas-Boas has spoken about the reception waiting for the Portuguese manager when he arrives at Dragao with his new side Benfica. The Porto supremo has also revealed the messages which were interchanged between him and Mourinho after the latter's decision to return to the Primiera Liga.
Jose Mourinho has claimed it is his democratic right to critique officials' performances in the same way his own work is judged, as he awaits potential punishment a week after his appointment as Benfica coach. He is under investigation after accusing a referee of having 'no personality' following a controversial 1-1 draw against Rio Ave.
Benfica's new boss Jose Mourinho has shut down speculation linking Karim Benzema with a sensational return to Europe. While rumours swirled over a January reunion, Mourinho insisted the 37-year-old striker is happy at Al-Ittihad, thriving financially, and unlikely to leave Saudi Arabia, despite his illustrious Real Madrid past and recent form.
Benfica have publicly backed Jose Mourinho amid his ongoing feud with referees, issuing a furious statement condemning what they called 'double standards' in officiating. The club claimed recent decisions have systematically gone against them and demanded accountability from the Refereeing Council, insisting such performances 'cannot go unpunished'.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has called it a “privilege” to face Jose Mourinho as the Portuguese coach returns to Stamford Bridge with Benfica in the Champions League. With the Blues struggling for form and under pressure after recent defeats, Maresca now seeks to steady the ship and secure vital points against a Chelsea legend.
Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk has launched a stunning critique of his former rival Jose Mourinho, claiming the Portuguese "hasn't upgraded himself as a coach." After beating Mourinho's Fenerbahce to the Super Lig title last season, Buruk stated he "was better than" Mourinho and that his rival is "not focused like before."
Former Benfica manager Bruno Lage has opened up about the club's failed attempt to sign Joao Felix from Chelsea. The Portuguese side openly declared their desire to bring the forward back to Lisbon but were unable to match the Blues' asking price. Even though Felix had his heart set on returning to Benfica, he opted to accept an offer from Al-Nassr after the Saudi Arabian club paid the fee Chelsea wanted.